Ezekiel 44:8 — Word Study
WLCוְלֹ֥א שְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת קָדָשָׁ֑י וַתְּשִׂימ֗וּן לְשֹׁמְרֵ֧י מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֛י בְּמִקְדָּשִׁ֖י לָכֶֽם׃
BSAAnd you have notlôʼ keptshâmar■ [failed to guard, neglected] chargemishmereth of My holy thingsqôdesh [sacred objects, set-apart possessions] but have appointedsûwm▸ [set, placed] others to keepshâmar [watch over, protect] chargemishmereth of My sanctuarymiqdâsh [holy place, sacred space]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְלֹ֥א | and not | Conjunction, particle |
| שְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם | you kept | Verb, Qal, perfect second person masculine plural |
| מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת | [the] charge of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| קָדָשָׁ֑י | holy things my | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| וַתְּשִׂימ֗וּן | and you appointed [them] ! | Verb qal sequential imperfect second person masculine plural, suffix |
| לְשֹׁמְרֵ֧י | to [the] keepers of | Preposition, verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common |
| מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֛י | charge my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| בְּמִקְדָּשִׁ֖י | in sanctuary my | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| לָכֶֽם׃ | for yourselves | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’ |
| KJV | And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves. |
| ASV | And ye have not kept the charge of my holy things; but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves. |
| YLT | and ye have not kept the charge of My holy things, and ye set [them] for keepers of My charge in My sanctuary for you. |
| WEB | You have not performed the duty of my holy things; but you have set performers of my duty in my sanctuary for yourselves.” |
| BBE | And you have not taken care of my holy things; but you have put them as keepers to take care of my work in my holy place. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of שְׁמַר — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a subordinate clause that indicates the consequence of the priests' failure.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׁמַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Ezekiel 44:8
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Duties of the Priestsgenerated
Ezekiel 44:8 highlights the failure of the priests to keep charge of the sacred duties entrusted to them. In the surrounding verses, God condemns their actions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining holiness in His sanctuary. This passage serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with sacred service, as seen in earlier texts like Leviticus 22:2-33 and Numbers 18:3-5.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 22:2–33 | “Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings that the Israelites have consecrated to Me, so that they do not profane My holy name. I am the LORD. |
| 2 | Numbers 18:3–5 | And they shall attend to your duties and to all the duties of the Tent; but they must not come near to the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die. |
| 3 | Acts 7:53 | you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.” |
| 4 | 1 Timothy 6:13 | I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate: |
| 5 | 2 Timothy 4:1 | I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom: |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שְׁמַר, she.margenerated
The verb שָׁמַר (shamar) means to keep, guard, or observe. It indicates the action of protecting or attending to something, highlighting the priests' duty to safeguard the holy things of God.
In this context, the priests are called out for failing to fulfill their responsibilities. The perfect tense indicates a completed action, suggesting that their neglect has ongoing consequences.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses kept charge of to convey the priests' failure to maintain their duties.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb שְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם, you kept, governs the main clause, with a noun phrase indicating what was not kept and a subsequent clause explaining the action taken by the priests.
The structure emphasizes the failure to keep charge, followed by the consequence of appointing others, which underscores the gravity of their neglect.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שְׁמַר as φυλάσσειν, meaning to guard or protect. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may imply a broader sense of vigilance.
The translation reflects a similar concern for the sanctity of the sanctuary, emphasizing the responsibility of those appointed to protect it.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ezekiel 44:8 points out that the priests have failed to keep charge of the holy things of God and have instead appointed others to fulfill their duties. This reflects a serious neglect of their responsibilities in maintaining the sanctity of the sanctuary.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To keep charge means to protect, guard, and maintain the sacred objects and responsibilities associated with worship and service to God.
Appointing others signifies a failure in leadership and responsibility, indicating that the original priests were not fulfilling their God-given duties.
This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and diligence in spiritual leadership and the care of sacred responsibilities.
Neglecting holy duties can lead to a loss of sanctity and reverence in worship, as well as potential judgment from God, as seen in the context of this passage.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I ensure that I am keeping charge of the sacred responsibilities in my life?
- How can I encourage others to take their spiritual duties seriously?
- What lessons can I learn from the priests' failure to guard the holy things?
- How do I view my role in maintaining the sanctity of worship in my community?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 44:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things,.... That is, have not kept and retained the holy doctrines of the Gospel; nor observed the holy ordinances of it, as they were first delivered:
Read John Gill on Ezekiel 44 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 44 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleYou have not observed the laws I gave you for the careful and exact keeping of my holy things; house, sacrifices, and worship. You have substituted others in your rooms, made officials, and surrogates, and curates to look to the gates, and these have let in the profane and unclean; your pride, or covetousness, or laziness, hath taken you off from your duty and your charge; or you have, as you saw good, consecrated persons, whether fit or unfit, whether approved or not approved by me. So you have profaned my name, and violated my law, .
Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 44 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEzekiel 44:8 And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.Ver. 8. For yourselves.] Pro vestro arbitratu, non pro mea voluntate; as best suited with your own ends, and fitted to your own humours.
Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 44 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(8) For yourselves.—Comp. 1 Kings 12:31.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Ezekiel 44 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges8. ye have set keepers] Some would read: ye have set them keepers. This of course is the meaning. The change is hardly supported by LXX (as Well. p. 122).
Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 44 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible7, 8. Strangers, uncircumcised in heath and uncircumcised in flesh — These “aliens” (R.V.) were not excluded from entering the temple and offering sacrifices to Jehovah in their own behalf (Leviticus
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ezekiel 44 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’
You have not performed the duty of my holy things; but you have set performers of my duty in my sanctuary for yourselves.”
And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’
You have not kept charge of my holy things, but you have assigned foreigners to keep charge of my sanctuary for you.
Tyndale line
And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
And ye have not kept the charge of my holy things; but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
And ye have not kept the charge of my holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
For yee haue not kept the ordinances of mine holy things: but you your selues haue set other to take the charge of my Sanctuarie.
Strictly literal
And ye have not kept the charge of my holy things, but have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
and ye have not kept the charge of My holy things, and ye set [them] for keepers of My charge in My sanctuary for you.
and you have not kept [the] charge of My holy things, and you set [others] for keeping My charge in My sanctuary for you.
And [because] ye have not kept the charge of my holy things; but ye have set [those unworthy ones] as keepers of my charge in my sanctuary at your own pleasure.
You have not carried out your duties regarding my holy things, but you appointed others to take up your duties, and you assigned them to care for my holy place.
From the Latin
And you have not kept the ordinances of my sanctuary: but you have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
Simplified
In addition you have not taken care of my sanctuary as you were required to, but instead you employed others to look after my sanctuary for you.
And you have not taken care of my holy things; but you have put them as keepers to take care of my work in my holy place.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in wording, with all nine words matched. This indicates a strong consistency in the transmission of this verse across traditions.
וְלֹ֥א שְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת קָדָשָׁ֑י וַתְּשִׂימ֗וּן לְשֹׁמְרֵ֧י מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֛י בְּמִקְדָּשִׁ֖י לָכֶֽם׃
9 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Ezekiel 44:8
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particleHC/Tn
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.
שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve
Qal 425
keep, have charge of
keep, guard, captives
hence, watch for, wait for
watch, observe
keep, retain, of storing up (food)
keep within bounds, restrain
observe, celebrate
keep sabbath
of other obligations
observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
sts. י׳ subj.
keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
Niph.
36be on one's guard
keep oneself, refrain, abstain
be kept, guarded
Pi. those paying regard to false vanities
Hithp. I kept myself from
base
H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of
. keep, guard, captives
. hence, watch for, wait for
. watch, observe
. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)
. keep within bounds, restrain
. . observe, celebrate
. keep sabbath
. of other obligations
. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
. sts. י׳ subj.
. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
. . be on one's guard
. keep oneself, refrain, abstain
. be kept, guarded
. those paying regard to false vanities
. I kept myself from
8104 shamar shaw-mar'
a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),
i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--beward,
be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark,
look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save
(self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.
: obey/observe
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
1a3) to watch for, wait for
1a4) to watch, observe
1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)
1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain
1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)
1a8) to keep, preserve, protect
1a9) to keep, reserve
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware
1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain
1b3) to be kept, be guarded
1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed
1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.
: guard
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
V-Qal-Perf-2mp — Verb · Qal · perfect second person masculine pluralHVqp2mp
מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת (mishmereth) refers to a guard or watch, encompassing the concepts of duty, function, and preservation. It can denote a specific role, such as a sentry or an office, and implies the act of keeping or safeguarding. The term appears in contexts related to obligation and service, highlighting its multifaceted use in the Old Testament.
מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת 78 n.f. guard, watch, also charge, function
base
H4931 מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת guard, watch, also charge, function
4931 mishmereth mish-mer'-reth
fem. of 4929; watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concr.) the
sentry, the post; obj. preservation, or (concr.) safe; fig.
observance, i.e. (abstr.) duty or (obj.) a usage or
party:--charge, keep, or to be kept, office, ordinace,
safeguard, ward, watch.
see HEBREW for 04929
מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת (mish.me.ret) — charge.
1) guard, charge, function, obligation, service, watch
1a) guard, watch, house of detention or confinement
1b) keeping, preserving
1c) charge, injunction
1d) office, function (ceremonial)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qodesh) refers to the concepts of apartness, sacredness, and holiness. It can denote a sacred place or thing, such as the Most Holy Place or a sanctuary. The term emphasizes the idea of being set apart, whether in relation to God, places, or objects.
קֹ֫דֶשׁ 469 n.m. apartness, sacredness
base
H6944 קֹ֫דֶשׁ apartness, sacredness
6944 qodesh ko'-desh
from 6942; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract,
sanctity:--consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed
(thing), holiness, (X most) holy (X day, portion, thing),
saint, sanctuary.
see HEBREW for 06942
קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — holiness.
1) apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness
1a) apartness, sacredness, holiness
1a1) of God
1a2) of places
1a3) of things
1b) set-apartness, separateness
קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — Most Holy Place.
This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness
Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Most Holy Place" G0039H)
קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — (Way of) Holiness.
Combined with de.rekh (דֶּ֫רֶךְ "Way" H1870H)
This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness
קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qo.desh) — Holy Place.
This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness
Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word שׂוּם (sum) is a verb meaning to put, place, or set, with a wide range of applications including appointing, establishing, and making. It can also refer to laying something upon or directing it. There is a related noun שׂוּמָה (sumah), which may denote a token of unluckiness. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.
שׂוּם, שִׂים 582 vb. put, place, set
Qal
put, set, in a place
put something upon
put, lay, set
put, c. בֵּין
set, direct
set, ordain, in a place
set, establish a law, statute
set, found a nation
set, appoint (as ruler, official)
set, constitute, make
set, determine, fix, bounds
set, station, at a post
put in position, sacred bread, sword, staves, bars
set up altars
= plant, wheat
set, fix (countenance)
make a thing, or pers. (acc.), for, transform into
make, constitute
work, bring to pass
appoint, give
set, fix (countenance)
Hiph. I will make him for a sign
Hoph. there was set before him
base
שׂוּמָה perhaps n. f. token of unluckiness, scowl;—2 S 13:32
ref
H7760a שׂוּם, שִׂים put, place, set .. . put, set, in a place
. put something upon
. put, lay, set
. put, c. בֵּין
. set, direct
. . set, ordain, in a place
. set, establish a law, statute
. set, found a nation
. set, appoint (as ruler, official)
. set, constitute, make
. set, determine, fix, bounds
. . set, station, at a post
. put in position, sacred bread, sword, staves, bars
. set up altars
. = plant, wheat
. set, fix (countenance)
. . make a thing, or pers. (acc.), for, transform into
. make, constitute
. work, bring to pass
. appoint, give
. set, fix (countenance)
. I will make him for a sign
. there was set before him
H7760b שׂוּמָה perhaps n. f. token of unluckiness, scowl
7760 suwm soom
or siym {seem}; a primitive root; to put (used in a great
variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially,
and elliptically):--X any wise, appoint, bring, call (a
name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider,
convey, determine, + disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap
up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out),
mark, + name, X on, ordain, order, + paint, place, preserve,
purpose, put (on), + regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set
(on, up), shew, + stedfastly, take, X tell, + tread down,
((over-))turn, X wholly, work.
שׂוּם (sum) — to set: make.
: make/establish
1) to put, place, set, appoint, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on
1a2) to set, direct, direct toward
1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig)
1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix
1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix
1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give
1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign
1c) (Hophal) to be set
שׂוּמָה (su.mah) — fate.
token of unluckiness, scowl
שׂוּם (sum) — to set: put.
: put/give
1) to put, place, set, appoint, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on
1a2) to set, direct, direct toward
1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig)
1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2mp | Suff — Verb qal sequential imperfect second person masculine plural · suffixHc/Vqw2mp/Sn
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.
שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve
Qal 425
keep, have charge of
keep, guard, captives
hence, watch for, wait for
watch, observe
keep, retain, of storing up (food)
keep within bounds, restrain
observe, celebrate
keep sabbath
of other obligations
observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
sts. י׳ subj.
keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
Niph.
36be on one's guard
keep oneself, refrain, abstain
be kept, guarded
Pi. those paying regard to false vanities
Hithp. I kept myself from
base
H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of
. keep, guard, captives
. hence, watch for, wait for
. watch, observe
. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)
. keep within bounds, restrain
. . observe, celebrate
. keep sabbath
. of other obligations
. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
. sts. י׳ subj.
. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
. . be on one's guard
. keep oneself, refrain, abstain
. be kept, guarded
. those paying regard to false vanities
. I kept myself from
8104 shamar shaw-mar'
a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),
i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--beward,
be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark,
look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save
(self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.
: obey/observe
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
1a3) to watch for, wait for
1a4) to watch, observe
1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)
1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain
1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)
1a8) to keep, preserve, protect
1a9) to keep, reserve
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware
1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain
1b3) to be kept, be guarded
1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed
1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.
: guard
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
Prep | V-Qal — Preposition · verb qal participle (active) masculine plural commonHR/Vqrmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת (mishmereth) refers to a guard or watch, encompassing the concepts of duty, function, and preservation. It can denote a specific role, such as a sentry or an office, and implies the act of keeping or safeguarding. The term appears in contexts related to obligation and service, highlighting its multifaceted use in the Old Testament.
מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת 78 n.f. guard, watch, also charge, function
base
H4931 מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת guard, watch, also charge, function
4931 mishmereth mish-mer'-reth
fem. of 4929; watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concr.) the
sentry, the post; obj. preservation, or (concr.) safe; fig.
observance, i.e. (abstr.) duty or (obj.) a usage or
party:--charge, keep, or to be kept, office, ordinace,
safeguard, ward, watch.
see HEBREW for 04929
מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת (mish.me.ret) — charge.
1) guard, charge, function, obligation, service, watch
1a) guard, watch, house of detention or confinement
1b) keeping, preserving
1c) charge, injunction
1d) office, function (ceremonial)
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdash) refers to a sacred place or sanctuary, often associated with the temple or tabernacle of Jehovah. It can denote a consecrated space, including those dedicated to idols, and is derived from a root meaning to consecrate. The term encompasses various types of holy places, such as chapels and asylums.
מִקְדָּשׁ 74 n.m. sacred place, sanctuary
base
H4720 מִקְדָּשׁ sacred place, sanctuary
4720 miqdash mik-dawsh'
or miqqdash (Exod. 15:17) {mik-ked-awsh'}; from 6942; a
consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary
(whether of Jehovah or of idols) or asylum:--chapel, hallowed
part, holy place, sanctuary.
see HEBREW for 06942
מִקְדָּשׁ (miq.dash) — sanctuary.
1) sacred place, sanctuary, holy place
1a) sanctuary
1a1) of the temple
1a2) of the tabernacle
1a3) of Ezekiel's temple
1a4) of Jehovah
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp1bs
כֶם (khem) — you.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person masculine plural
HR/Sp2mp — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2mp